According to the emergency services, four people were killed and at least nine injured, Itar-Tass news agency reported. Also, 75 of the 85 residents in the building at the time of the explosion have been evacuated.

“At the moment, three people remain unaccounted for. We cannot say whether they are under the debris. Now we are trying to establish their whereabouts,” said a source in the Emergency Ministry as quoted by the news agency.

Emergency teams continue to search the rubble.

Officials believe the explosion occurred in one of the apartments on the third floor where gas cylinders were being used in work to renovate the flat. Following the explosion a fire broke out, but was quickly extinguished.